"I will praise the name of God with a song." Ps. 69:30
"It came to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud: … for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." 2 Chr. 5:13-14.
"The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father it spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." John 4:23.
"Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5.
"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God." Rev. 19:1.
FATHER and God! to Thee
Our songs of praise ascend;
E'er long their eternal harmonies
The very skies shall rend;
But now 'tis minor tones we raise,
Thy children lisping forth Thy praise.
Father! we worship Thee,
Our very souls we bow;
Earth is forgotten while we gaze
Within the holiest now;
And in the radiance of this place,
With rapture look upon Thy face.
All thought of sin is gone,
It cannot enter here;
Redemption's work is done,
It dissipates our fear.
Now in the worth of Christ we stand,
Offering the first-fruits of the land.
His blood has washed us white,
His beauty clothes us now
And fit for Thine unsullied light
We stand before Thee now;
Blest in the liberty thus given,
To praise within an opened heaven.
Praise for the gift of Christ,
Thy well-beloved Son!
Praise for the Spirit who reveals
The Gift and Giver One!
All joy we have, or hope to see,
Is centred, blessed God, in Thee.
A. S. Oliphant.